OtherSensorTypes / HeartRateMonitor

Heart Rate Monitor

The Heart Rate Monitor must be connected to a serial data port on a data logger as shown here:

The available data from the unit is as shown in the following table.

Channel Name

Race Technology message

Race Technology Default name

Race Technology VAR number

Resolution

HeartRate

aux 26

Auxiliary 1

VAR_2025

1 BPM

RRInterval

aux 27

Auxiliary 2

VAR_2026

1 ms

HeartRateZone

aux 28

Auxiliary 3

VAR_2027

1 – 5 zone

HRVariability

aux 29

Auxiliary 4

VAR_2028

1 ms

EnergyBurn

aux 30

Fuel aux temp comp

VAR_2029

Calories per second

Exertion

aux 31

Fuel aux volt comp

VAR_2030

0 to 100%

There are no configuration options available for the heart rate monitor. As such it is important to make sure that the above channels are not used for any other sensors.

Heart Rate

Heart Rate is measured in beats per minute (BPM). Heart rate is an indicator of the physical load a driver is experiencing. Age and fitness govern the maximum achievable heart rate; taking the measured heart rate as a percentage of the maximum shows how close the driver is to the limit.

RR Interval

The RR interval is the time in milliseconds between each heart beat (ECGs are traditionally labelled using the letter R for the main part of the beat). The change in intervals can be analysed to better understand physiological performance.

Heart Rate Zone

Heart rate zones are a common way to control training. Zone zero is the lowest level, with zone five the highest. Zones are a great way of matching gym training to on-track demands.

Heart rate variability

Derived from the RR interval value, heart rate variability is given in milliseconds and shows how much the heart rate has varied over the proceeding minute. Higher numbers suggest better physical adaptability to the track conditions.

Energy burn

Energy burn is given in calories per second. Calories burnt varies with heart rate, age and fitness. Every calorie burnt must ultimately be replaced.

Exertion

Exertion is given as a percentage from 0 to 100. This gives a very clear indication of how hard a driver is working. The higher the percentage, the more physical effort is being put in.